Textile Insight

24 • Textile Insight ~ January/February 2018 textileinsight.com OUTSIDE THE BOX: HOME TEXTILES "There's a lot of crossover between home and apparel," explained Barbara Trippeer, an assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) School of Art and Design. "We are all running the smart fabric race together. I pass the baton, the baton comes back and I pass it again. There is a lot of shared research in this field." Today's crossover trend of textile technology is strengthening as various industries seek smart product solutions to meet the needs of an increas- ingly connected world. This contemporary approach to smart textiles development was outlined at the "Material Changes" conference held at the Textile Building in New York in November. The event, hosted by Home Textiles Today, featured presentations on the future of phase change materials, advances in supply chain transparency, textile testing and digital textiles. Indeed, from the outside looking in, the conference agenda appeared designed for execs in the active/outdoor trade. Trippeer's presentation on cutting edge innovations in apparel technolo- gies seamlessly linked the trends and technologies happening with smart fabrics in the fashion and home markets. "What we're really looking at is 'connected wellbeing' as individuals. We want to have control over their data in some way," said Trippeer, who believes we are moving into an era where data rules. "It's obvious by how we use our phones, and our garments are no different, and same with the 'smart home.'" Enhancing Textile Technology Innovation and sustainability were strong themes addressed by conference presenters. Phase change materials (PCMs) serve as a good example. PCMs have made strides in utility bedding and mattresses, similar to niche successes in high-performance sports apparel, but haven't yet permeated other categories. Min Zhu, assistant professor of Textile Development at FIT shared some new developments that look promising. Outlast phase change materials absorb, store and release heat to provide the wearer with thermo-regulation. In an effort to extend its offering of proactive heat management in addition to making the PCM process more efficient, Outlast has introduced Outlast Xelerate. The new product combines PCMs with a heat spreader technology to reduce overheating and sweating. Zhu also highlighted PureTemp, a bio-based, renewable phase change material from Entropy Solutions. Increasingly performance and eco-awareness go hand in hand. Research reported by Oeko-Tex representatives confirms this market trend. A key takeaway of two recent studies (see footnote) is that "consumers aspire to live a more sustainable lifestyle," said Malinda Salter, account executive, Oeko-Tex Association, who added that according to surveys, awareness of eco-friendly products is high in both markets — over 70 percent — yet purchase percentages range in the 30th percentile. The thinking is that as millennials start families, purchases of eco-friendly products will rise, "because often a focus on health and safety starts with baby," said Salter. "Safety is the buzzword in the marketplace today." Surveys show consumers are very interested in textile certification. According to the Oeko-Tex research, six in 10 consumers globally are interested in knowing if the clothes/home textiles they purchase are safe from harmful substances and produced in environmentally and socially responsible ways. About one in three consumers globally have purchased certified clothing and one in five, certified home textiles. More revealing is that the categories of home and clothing were not even included in previous surveys. An Eco Boost Further evidence of consumer desire for transparency and responsible sourcing is how consumer facing eco labeling is gaining traction. Made in Green by Oeko-Tex is available in merchandise in Target stores now, and PimaCott sheets and towels are selling at Bed Bath & Beyond. Applied DNA Sciences partnered on the PimaCott program. Applied DNA Sciences VP of Textiles, MeiLin Wan explained to attendees at the November conference initiatives being embraced by innovative brands and retailers with sustainable manufacturing and product development processes top of mind. "The circular economy provides home textile industry with an opportunity to provide new solutions to its customers." Applied DNA Sciences, for example, offers CertainT, a traceability solution for recycled PET products that has application in home, as well as apparel. While smart textiles continue to advance in today's markets, challenges remain. Trippeer outlined a handful of reasons hindering progress including: weight of the devices; battery life limitations, and lack of bio-degradability; and testing still in the early stages. Trippeer added, "It's not the fiber itself that's smart it is the person who is wearing it, or really the person who is programming it. You have to have a strategy in mind. You have to know your customer and what are they looking for." O Footnote: Studies mentioned include the Oeko-Tex Global Textile Sustainability Consumer Research and research conducted by the Sustainability Furnishings Council. Smart Solutions From Sheets to Shirts, An Exciting Time in the Field of Responsive Textiles

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